Annex A: process maps
The process maps provide information on how levy payments and information should work across the various levy collection routes.
These process maps provide information on how levy payments and information should be processed across the various levy collection routes. They are intended to be read alongside the Levy regulations. The process maps are illustrative and are not an exhaustive picture of all possible processes.
1. Non-higher risk buildings, using the LABC as building control authority, levy chargeable no building control variation applications
1. A Building Control (BC) application with full plans for a residential building submitted to the local authority building control (LABC).
2. This application is accompanied by levy information
The LABC may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to LABC.
4. This commencement notice is accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information and supporting evidence):
5. The CA calculates the levy charge. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant applications received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
6. Levy liability notice issued to the developer.
7. Developer pays levy charge.
8. CA issues levy payment certificate.
9. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement - that the levy charge has been paid in full.
10. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
11. CA confirms levy payment.
12. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
2. Non-higher risk buildings, using an RBCA, levy chargeable no building control variation applications
1. Initial Notice (IN) for a residential building submitted to the local authority building control (LABC).
2. This initial notice is accompanied by levy information.
The LABC may reject the initial notice if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the IN submitted by developer to RBCA with copy to CA.
4. This Commencement Notice is accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information and supporting evidence).
5. CA calculates levy charge. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant INs received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
6. Levy liability notice issued to the developer and the RBCA.
7. Developer pays levy charge.
8. Developer makes a compliance declaration to the RBCA following completion of the works, including levy liability statement - that the levy charge has been paid in full.
9. RBCA issues final certificate and sends this to LABC.
10. LABC checks payment status with CA.
11. CA confirms levy payment.
12. LABC accepts final certificate. Note: LABC must reject the final certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
3. Higher-risk buildings, Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as building control authority, levy chargeable no building control variation applications
1. Building Control (BC) application for a residential building submitted to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
2. This BC application accompanied by levy information
The BSR may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to BSR.
4. The commencement notice (CN) accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information):
5. At the same time: Supporting evidence submitted by developer to collecting authority (CA).
6. CA calculates levy charge. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant applications received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
7. Levy liability notice issued to the developer.
8. Developer pays levy charge.
9. Developer applies for completion certificate from BSR, including levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full), and notifies CA that they have applied for a completion certificate.
10. CA notifies BSR that levy has been paid.
11. BSR issues completion certificate. Note: BSR must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
4. Non-higher risk buildings, using the LABC as building control authority, levy chargeable including variation application
1. Building Control (BC) application with full plans for a residential building submitted to local authority building control (LABC).
2. This BC application accompanied by levy information
The LABC may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to LABC.
4. This commencement notice is accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information and supporting evidence).
5. Collecting authority (CA) calculates levy charge. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant applications received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
6. Levy liability notice (LLN) issued to the developer.
7. Developer pays levy charge.
8. CA issues levy payment certificate.
9. Variation application (a further BC application with full plans) submitted to LABC with updated levy info, levy charging info and accompanying evidence. A spot check can also be carried out at this point.
10. CA calculates levy charge, issues updated Levy determination notice (LDN – a LLN or a notice of no charge) and cancels old LLN
If levy has increased:
11. Developer pays levy charge.
12. CA issues updated levy payment certificate.
13. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works, including levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
14. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
15. CA confirms levy payment.
16. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If levy has decreased:
11. CA pays refund to developer & issues revised levy payment certificate
12. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works, including levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
13. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
14. CA confirms levy payment.
15. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
5. Non-higher risk buildings, using the LABC as building control authority, levy chargeable including levy update notice
1. Building Control (BC) full plans application for a residential building submitted to local authority building control (LABC).
2. This application is accompanied by levy information.
The LABC may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to LABC.
4. This commencement notice is accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information and supporting evidence)
5. Collecting authority (CA) calculates levy charge. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant applications received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
6. Levy liability notice (LLN) issued to the developer.
7. Developer pays levy charge.
8. CA issues levy payment certificate.
9. Levy update notice submitted to CA with updated levy info, levy charging information and accompanying evidence.
10. CA recalculates levy charge, issues revised levy determination notice (containing new levy liability amount or a notice of no charge) and cancels old LLN
If levy has increased:
11. Developer pays levy charge.
12. CA issues updated levy payment certificate.
13. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
14. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
15. CA confirms levy payment.
16. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If levy has decreased:
11. CA pays refund to developer & issues revised levy payment certificate:
12. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that liability paid in full).
13. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
14. CA confirms levy payment.
15. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
6. Non-higher risk buildings, using the LABC as building control authority, levy chargeable – review of levy charge requested
1. Building Control (BC) application with full plans for a residential building submitted to local authority building control (LABC)
2. This application is accompanied by levy information.
The LABC may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to LABC.
4. This commencement notice is accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information and supporting evidence).
5. Collecting authority (CA) calculates levy charge. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant applications received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
6. Levy liability notice (LLN) issued to the developer.
7. Developer requests review of levy charge. Review request should contain:
a. Contact information,
b. Information identifying BC application, including any variations
c. Information identifying levy liability notice
d. The reason review is requested
e. Any other relevant information or evidence to assist CA in their assessment.
If CA carries out review and decides levy charge correct:
8. Initial LLN still valid.
If developer accepts review decision:
9. Developer pays levy charge.
10. CA issues levy payment certificate.
11. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
12. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
13. CA confirms levy payment.
14. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If CA carries out review and decides Levy charge incorrect:
8. Initial LLN withdrawn and CA calculates and issues new LLN
If developer accepts review decision:
9. Developer pays levy charge
10. CA issues levy payment certificate.
11. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
12. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
13. CA confirms levy payment.
14. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If developer does not accept review decision:
9. Developer appeals to First Tier Tribunal.
If FTT confirms CA decision:
10. Developer pays levy charge
11. CA issues levy payment certificate.
12. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
13. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
14. CA confirms levy payment.
15. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If FTT disagrees with CA decision:
10. Levy charge incorrect – initial LLN withdrawn and CA calculates and issues new LLN
11. Developer pays levy charge.
12. CA issues levy payment certificate.
13. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge paid in full).
14. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
15. CA confirms levy payment.
16. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
7. Higher Risk Building (HRB), Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as building control authority, 100% affordable housing non-levy chargeable no building control variation applications
1. Building Control (BC) application for a residential building submitted to BSR.
2. This BC application accompanied by levy information
The BSR may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to BSR.
4. At the same time supporting evidence submitted by developer to collecting authority (CA).
5. The commencement notice accompanied by further levy information including confirmation as to how the levy charging conditions are not met.
6. CA determines whether BC application is chargeable. The CA carries out spot check on 10% of relevant applications received. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information.
7. Notice of no charge (NNC) issued to the developer.
8. Developer applies for completion certificate from BSR, including levy liability statement (that no levy charge was due), and notifies CA that they have applied for a completion certificate.
9. CA notifies BSR that no levy charge was due.
10. BSR issues completion certificate.
Note: BSR must not give the final certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms no levy charge was due).
8. Non-higher risk buildings, using the LABC as building control authority, levy chargeable, spot check takes place
1. Building Control (BC) application with full plans for a residential building submitted to local authority building control (LABC).
2. This application is accompanied by levy information
The LABC may reject the BC application if this information is not included.
3. First commencement notice in respect of the works under the relevant BC application submitted to LABC.
4. This commencement notice is accompanied by further levy information (including levy charging information and supporting evidence)
5. Collecting authority (CA) carries out spot check. The CA confirms the accuracy of the information provided with reference to the evidence the developer submitted plus other information at the CA’s disposal, such as planning information. CA must give notice of a spot check to the client and inform the client of the outcome of the spot check.
6. Spot check completed.
If spot check confirms accuracy of information provided:
7. CA calculates levy charge based on findings and informs client they consider information is accurate.
8. Levy liability notice (LLN) issued to the developer.
9. Developer accepts spot check findings:
10. Developer pays levy charge.
11. CA issues levy payment certificate.
12. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge has been paid in full).
13. LABC checks levy payment status with CA.
14. CA confirms levy payment.
15. LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If CA spot check determines some of information provided to be inaccurate:
7. CA calculates levy charge based on findings and informs client they consider some information provided was not accurate.
8. Levy liability notice (LLN) issued to the developer.
If developer accepts spot check findings:
9. Developer pays levy charge.
10. CA issues levy payment certificate.
11. Developer notifies LABC of completion of works and includes levy liability statement (that levy charge has been paid in full).
12. LABC checks levy payment status with CA
13. CA confirms levy payment.
- LABC issues completion certificate. Note: LABC must not give the completion certificate unless the CA agrees with the levy liability statement (confirms payment).
If developer asks for review of spot check findings:
9. See ‘review of levy charge requested’ in above section.